Linkwood 19 (K&L Signatory Vintage 1997/2016 Cask #4616) Review

This is a 19 year Linkwood bottled by Signatory Vintage as part of K&Ls recent Signtaory selections. It was matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at 56.6% ABV.

Nose: Briny with dry oak (almost a cardboard like quality to the oak), slightly grassy, and otherwise bland. The nose is very muted and “hollow” if that makes sense.

Palate: Very briny again up front with sawdust, some pepper spice, and very little else. Again, very dialed down/bland here. This hogshead must have been on its last legs.

Finish: Beeswax and oak fade quickly.

Rating: 70/100 – It’s not that this is bad, it’s just not good. The notes that are there are ok, but they are so minimal that there’s nothing to get excited about.

Value for the money: This retails for $90 at K&L currently – on the surface it looks to be a good value for a 19 year, but I’m glad I didn’t pick one of these up as I was considering it before this sample. I wouldn’t buy at any price.